The President of the United States takes
pleasure in presenting the NAVY CROSS MEDAL to
CHARLES R. YORDY
UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS
for service as set forth in the following CITATION:
For extraordinary heroism while serving with Companv K, Third Battalion,
Twenty-Seventh Marines, First Marine Division (Reinforced), in connection
with operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. On 24
May 1968 during Operation ALLEN BROOK in Quang Nam Province, Private
Yordy's platoon was assigned the mission of enveloping an enemy village
in order to relieve the pressure on an adjacent platoon which was pinned
down by the heavy volume of fire from well fortified hostile positions.
As the Marines moved up on the flank of the enemy, the unit came under
intense automatic weapons fire from several North Vietnamese bunkers
and spider holes, pinning down the platoon and inflicting numerous casualties.
including the platoon commander who fell directly in front of the enemy
machine-gun em placement. Unhesitatingly and with complete disregard
for his personal safety, Private Yordy rushed across the hazardous area
firing his M-16 rifle from the hip and succeeded in reaching the side
of the injured officer. Picking up the wounded man's M-79 grenade launcher
and ignoring the enemy rounds striking around him, he fired directly
into the aperture of the bunker silencing the hostile fire. Observing
another enemy bunker nearby which had pined down his companions. he
crawled to the emplacement and destroyed it with several hand grenades.
As the platoon began to withdraw, Private Yordy selflessly remained
behind and covered the withdrawal of his unit by throwing hand grenades
and firing his grenade launcher at the hostile position, abandoning
his precarious position only when he was assured that his fellow Marines
had reached relative safety. Throughout the battle, his heroic actions
and presence of mind were an inspiration to all who observed ilim and
were responsible for the successful extraction of his unit, undoubtedly
saving the lives of many of his comrades. By his courage, aggressive
fighting spirit, and selfless devotion to duty in the face of great
personal danger, Private Yordy upheld the highest traditions of the
Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service.
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